About 400 People with Disabilities in Gyeonggi Region Competed in Generative AI Skills

Approximately 400 people with disabilities in the Gyeonggi region competed in generative artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

By expanding the categories of the information technology competition for people with disabilities, which has been held for 26 years, to include generative AI, the intention is to prevent technological changes from widening the digital divide further.

According to the Gyeonggi Province Rehabilitation Association for the Disabled and KT on the 29th, the two organizations held the '26th Gyeonggi Province IT Festival for People with Disabilities' at Seoul National University Siheung Campus Convention Center that day.

The competition is an event jointly promoted by the two organizations to enhance information utilization capabilities of people with disabilities and reduce the digital divide, and this year marks its 26th edition.

Participants are people with disabilities aged 7 and older in Gyeonggi Province, with categories including IT and e-sports competitions, AI challenges, and AI information search.

This year's 'AI Information Search' event is a category in which participants solve given problems using AI-based search tools.

Digital experience booths were also operated at the venue. The KT Group Hope Sharing Foundation provided meals and snacks to participants, guardians, and volunteers.

Min Jeong-gi, an AI Challenge award winner, said, "I have looked forward to the Gyeonggi Province IT Festival for People with Disabilities every year and prepared consistently, and I am very pleased to receive an award. I hope to continue studying AI and IT and become someone who contributes to society."

Ham Hyung-min, Head of KT's Metropolitan Seoul and South Korea Customer Division, said, "In the AI era, it is important to create an environment where anyone can learn, utilize, and grow with new technology. We will continue to make efforts to enhance digital accessibility for people with disabilities, bridge the information gap, and ensure that everyone can benefit from AI technology."

Lee Young-jae President of the Gyeonggi Province Rehabilitation Association for the Disabled, said " This is a precious event that has been held consecutively for 26 years without missing a single year, enabling people with disabilities to more easily access information and freely use digital technologies. We will continue to open more opportunities so that people with disabilities can grow as confident protagonists in the digital society."